Documentary ‘Girl Rising’ explores lack of access to education

February 28, 2014

“Change starts with courage.” This is the statement on the home page of girlrising.com. Girl Rising is a global campaign advocating for girls’ education all around the world. Their mission is to change the way the world values girls.

The campaign’s documentary film, “Girl Rising,” will be shown at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 4 in Room 330 of Visser Hall at Emporia State University. The showing is free to the Emporia State University community and the public. It is sponsored by Emporia State’s Ethnic and Gender Studies Program, the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office.

Narrators and celebrities Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Selena Gomez, Cate Blanchett and Kerry Washington take you through the documentary that captures stories of arranged marriages, child slavery and the importance of educating girls. Girls who dream of sitting in a three-hour night class and carrying a 20-pound backpack full of books are featured.

You will be left in awe discovering what is happening in your own backyard. Come see what a huge impact a little education can bring to the life of one girl. This documentary will give you pride in how far you’ve come and the education you’ve received.

Girl Rising is a global campaign for girls’ education. They use the power of storytelling and leveraged through partnerships to share the simple truth that educating girls can transform societies. Girl Rising unites girls, women, boys and men who believe every girl has the right to go to school and the right to reach her full potential.